A co-volunteer at the clothes bank yesterday came across a French military medal from WW1 that literally fell out of a bundle of donated clothes. Looking it up online, it’s a Croix de Guerre dating from 1915, a decoration given for acts of bravery.
We’re not quite sure what to do. It is impossible to know where the donation of clothes came from, in order to try and locate the owner. Donations are often left anonymously at the clothes bank. It’s sadly quite possible that the donation came from somebody passing away at an EHPAD. It’s probably been completely forgotten.
We were initially thinking of perhaps selling it and using the proceeds to help the clothes bank. Unfortunately the medal seemingly has little monetary value as there are lots of examples around, given the widespread bravery displayed in that era. Per LBC it’s about 10€, or about £30 on eBay in the UK.
Can anyone think of sensible ideas to get it to a better final home? The initial research suggests that in the absence of any name to link the medal to a specific regiment or battle, military museums probably have enough equivalent medals. The same issue probably applies to Associations of Anciens Combattants.
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If it were me… I would speak quietly with my Maire.
He and I often attend the various Commemorations for Anciens Commbattants etc etc…
and I am sure he would know who to make aware of this “find” and after that, it’s up to them to do whatever they feel correct as I would have passed the medal into safe /responsible hands.
It might well be that the Anciens don’t wish to be given the medal… but, even so, I’m sure they’d give You advice on how to “handle it with respect”.
good luck
EDIT: If we found such a medal… I reckon it would be mentioned in our local Bulletin (and word of mouth) , which might give the family of the lost medal an opportunity to recover it if they so wished. (just a thought)
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How very sad. My concern would be same as yours - to ensure it is treated with respect. Even if the story behind it is never known as to specifics.
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I agree with Stella about a visit to your local Mairie.
An idea to posit might be, while assuming there may be more medals around or to come, to create a ‘panneau d’honneur’ to hang in the Mairie and attach medals as they come in. Villagers may be happy to see their ancestors name so honored, and solves the problem of which child should hold them.
A simple framed felt panel with a brass plaque would be nice.
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